This chapter explores the concept of power-sharing in democracies, highlighting its significance in ensuring stability and representation of diverse communities.
Power-sharing - Quick Look Revision Guide
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Key Points
Define power-sharing with an example.
Power-sharing is a system where power is distributed among various groups to ensure stability and reduce conflict. For example, in Belgium, power is shared among Dutch and French-speaking communities to maintain harmony.
Explain majoritarianism in Sri Lanka.
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka refers to the dominance of the Sinhala-speaking majority over Tamil minorities, leading to policies favoring Sinhala culture and language, which caused tensions and civil war.
Describe Belgium's power-sharing model.
Belgium's model includes equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government, state governments not subordinate to the central government, and a separate government for Brussels with equal community representation.
Why is power-sharing desirable?
Power-sharing reduces conflicts, ensures political stability, and embodies the spirit of democracy by giving people a voice in governance, thus preventing tyranny of the majority.
Prudential vs. moral reasons for power-sharing.
Prudential reasons focus on reducing conflict and ensuring stability, while moral reasons emphasize the intrinsic value of power-sharing in a democracy for fairness and participation.
Horizontal distribution of power.
Power is shared among different organs of government (legislature, executive, judiciary) to prevent any one organ from gaining unlimited power, ensuring checks and balances.
Vertical distribution of power.
Power is shared among different levels of government (central, state, local) to accommodate regional diversity and ensure effective governance, as seen in federal systems like India.
Power-sharing among social groups.
Power is shared among different social groups (religious, linguistic) to give minorities a fair share in governance, exemplified by Belgium's community government.
Power-sharing among political parties.
Power is shared among political parties, pressure groups, and movements to ensure diverse representation and prevent monopoly, as seen in coalition governments.
Ethnic composition of Belgium.
Belgium has a complex ethnic composition with 59% Dutch-speaking Flemish, 40% French-speaking Walloons, and 1% German-speaking, leading to innovative power-sharing arrangements.
Ethnic communities in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's major groups are Sinhala-speakers (74%) and Tamil-speakers (18%), with sub-groups like Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils, leading to majoritarian policies and conflict.
Civil war in Sri Lanka.
The civil war in Sri Lanka resulted from Tamil demands for autonomy and equality, leading to widespread violence, displacement, and economic setbacks until it ended in 2009.
Lebanon's power-sharing agreement.
Lebanon's agreement allocates top government posts to specific religious groups (e.g., Maronite President, Sunni PM) to maintain peace after a bitter civil war.
System of checks and balances.
This system ensures that no single government organ can dominate, with each checking the others, like the judiciary reviewing executive actions or legislative laws.
Federal division of power.
Power is divided between central and state governments, with clear constitutional delineation, as seen in India and Belgium, to accommodate regional diversity.
Community government in Belgium.
Elected by language communities, this government handles cultural, educational, and language issues, ensuring minority representation and preventing conflict.
Coalition government.
Formed by alliance of political parties, coalition governments share power to represent diverse ideologies and prevent single-party dominance, as seen in Germany.
Reserved constituencies in India.
These ensure representation of socially weaker sections and women in legislatures, giving them a voice in governance and policy-making.
European Union's choice of Brussels.
Brussels was chosen as the EU headquarters due to Belgium's successful power-sharing model, symbolizing unity amidst diversity.
Impact of power-sharing on democracy.
Power-sharing strengthens democracy by ensuring inclusive governance, reducing conflicts, and fostering political stability and social harmony.
This chapter explains federalism, focusing on its importance in India as a system of government that divides power between various levels.
This chapter examines how gender, religion, and caste serve as social divisions in India, influencing democratic practices and political representation.
This chapter explores the role and functions of political parties in a democracy, focusing on their significance in India.
This chapter explores the various outcomes and expectations of democracy, examining its effectiveness in delivering governance, economic equity, and social harmony.
